Box-forming block



W. E. MIDDLETON BOX FORMINCT BLOCK Nom 6, 1923'.

Filed Aug. 18. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m-III IIII. .l .I.

IN VEN TOR Nov. e, w23.l 1,473,244

l W. E. MIDDLETON BOX FORMING BLOCK Filed Aug. 18, 1922 2 sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR HJZTTOKRzvEx/s' Patented Nov. 6, i923.

STATE WILLIE@ E. MIDDLETON, OF NEW BRTAN, CONNECTICUT.

BOX-FORVNG BLOCK.

Application filed August 1S, 1922.

To aZZ whom t may cof/Loewe:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM E. MIDDLE- 'roN, a citizen of the United States, a resident of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Box-Forming Block, of which the following is a speciication. j

The. invention relates to a block adapted to be used in the manufacture of boxes from cardboard or similar material, as a form over which or around which the material is pressed into the desired shape and dimensions. Y

Among the objectsof the invention are to provide a forming block of the above type which will be simple and inexpensive in structure, capable of adjustment over a wide range of dimensions, and which will be lightin weight and readily adjustable to different sizes in a minimum of time and with the liability of errors in adjustment eliminated as far as possible.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be in art obvious and in part specifically pointed out in the description hereinafter contained which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the invention; such embodiment, however, is to be considered merely as illustrative of its principle. ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view partly in section of a box forming block constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing detaclBied certain parts of the block illustrated in `i l.

Figg. 3 is a side elevation showing'detached a clamping device which forms a part of the structure shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 4f is a central longitudinal sectional View of such clamping device.y

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5*5 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows:

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing detached a plate which forms one of the elements of the clamping device shown in Figs. 3 to 5.

ln the use of formingblocks of the character above mentioned it is ordinarily found necessary to provide for the manufacture of boxes of dimensions varying over a wide range, and consequent-ly if a given forming block is adjustable only over a narrow range Serial No. 582,592.

of sizes, or if the adjustable parts of the block which correspond to the different sizes are expensive, the costorl equipment which will meet the ordinary needs of an establishment may become prohibitive. For example, if the adjustment infsize is obtained by telescoping parts the range between maximum and minimum adjustments is limited to somewhat less than one-half the length o-f such parts, or if the change involves elements sliding in slots carried by other members, the range of adjustability is necessarily somewhat less than the length of the slotted members. f

ln accordance with the present invention, the forming block is made up of corner pieces which may be used in connection with a box of any length or width likely tojbe desired, together with distance members which extend between adjacent corner pieces andv abut the latter to space them the desired distance apart, a plurality of distance members of graduated lengths being-supplied as a part of each equipment, whereby a large range of adjustability may be obtained without undue expense. Preferably the distance members are in the form of metal rods of standard diameter whereby the user may easily add to his assortment of sizes by cutting up sets of rods of the desired lengths. The distance members are readily interchangeable in the block preferably by a 4simple pin and hole'engagement, a separate clamping device being provided to hold the JLDarts of the box in proper relation to each other. l

ln the4 present embodiment of the invention the corner pieces l are in the form of metal castings, preferably of aluminum to reduce weight, and with their outer side faces finished to lie accurately at right angles to each other. rhe distance members 2 are in the form of metal rods which abut against adjacent corner: pieces and thus hold them the desired distances apart; as shown, eachv corner piece is provided with a plurality of holes 3 which slidably receive the ends of rods 2in such manner that the rods are bottomed in the holes. Thus in adjusting the size of block there is little likelihood of making errors since it is only necessary to `force the several corner pieces l together after a set of rods 2 of the proper dimension has been selected. Furthermore, the block may not be adjusted out of the rectangular A extends between -dia'g'onall'y located corner piecesand thus :prevents the lparts of the shape, usince the engagement: of rods 2in In cases where the forming block is to be used for the Vmanufacture .of boxes of Vlarge size I mayinterpose between adjacent corner pieces any desired number of lillingfmembers 4 which in the present instance are provided with a plurality flrecesses 5 adapted to receive Vthemed/s2 previously mentioned thus position the filling members in c proper A'alignment with the corner pieces.

Alsof wherer tliey'forming blockis to be` used )fr the/:manufacture yof boxes of relatively largedeptha plurality of cerner extensins 'may be' suitably .attached'to crner Pieces.' l; these cerner extensions 6 are PTO- vided withl dowel'pins 7ada`pted to lit in corc responding holes Sinffbottem flanges 9 on the cerner pieces, further aligned holes 1()Y v'fand r11'being alsov provided in the corner extensiens and yflanges 9 lto receive bolts (not illustrate-fi) "tohoid the abete parte t0- gether. j After the corner pieces1and the y j y distance members 2 of proper length 'have been assembled as above vdescribed the forming block l,is heldltogether by a clamping device de- .IlOtel-generally by numeral/12 and which in the i present j embodiment of the invention fermingfblock from' separating by either longitudinal Ioi transverse metion. As shown the `corner pieces 1 carry recessed lugs 7.13,;011 their inner faces yand bolts 14 pass vthrough:theclamping device 12 and the lugs 13. to hold; the parts togethergin proper'relationto eachother. VIv also prefer to arrange the clamping device 12 .tocarry a support for the forming blockand to insure that in 4Lall vadjustmei'itsv of the,bloclrsuch support i willbe heldincentral position;` Blocksof `the type herein y involved ordinarily are lmounted on the upper end of a rotary' spindlelin such manner that the block mayv betiirnedy to present its different faces suc- .cessi,vely.to the operator vwhen the Vboxes are-- .beinmformed by handand if the support having a hole 17 at its outerend adapted to yreceive a bolt 14 aspreviouslydescribed and `for tthe block is permitted to move toa position out of line with, the Icentral axis of the rblock, the latter thus would rotate eccentri- `v`cally.r

Y in the iiiusifaed embodiment @fusinyventiong ithe forming part asa whole is sup.

portedtfromran internally threaded hub 1-5 (.Figs. 3 to 5) adapted to screwv onto the upper end ofv a rotary spindle asy above mentioned. iiTheclamping device 12,. is made up of a. pair of Complementary plates 16 each k*i eachcarryiiig a rack 18 having its teeth positioned adjacent a longitudinal slot 19. The

hub member 15 is provided with a'pair of ci' plaies '16.

flanges 20 `between which the plates 16 are slidably ieceivedand a small pinion V21 rota# tablymounted on a stud22carriedby hub 15 projects intotheslots-19of plates 16 and engages'with bothracks 18 of such plates.V

Thus tlieplates l'may'beslid back and forth with reference to each other to posic tion the holes 17 at the proper/points to c receive' boltslli for any desired adjustment of the forming block but the engagement of pinion 21 with racks 18- Will insurethathub 15 is located at alltimes midwayl between the'h'ol'esand therefore concentric with the Vcentralt axisof the forming blockf After therplates 1,6 have been vadjusted torproper v'positic'in as yabove described-they vmay be suitably clamped in such-position asby means of .a pair of bolts 23 Vextending Ythrough an'ges 24 on hub 1,5 and through slots 1`9'to the upper side of the fcrrningV to force washers 26 lagainst the upper Vfaces While a specific embodiment ofthe in- *v enti'onV has vbe" ndescribedit is'obvious thatV` sired distances apart, said distance members being bodily detachable from said corner pieces, anda clamping device extending between corner piecesto hold v:thecorner pieces and distance members in adjusted relation. Y

2. Abox fo-rmingblock comprising corner i pieces, distance members extending Vlgietween adjacent cornerV pieces and abuttingportions thereof to space the corner pieces the desired distances apart, ysaid di'stance'membersV beingr bodily detachabley from 'isaichcorner pieces, and a clamping device extending be-V I tween corner pieces to hold ythe cornery pieces `dejiarting from its principler as defined and distance'members in? adjusted relation,

said clamping devicecarrying a support fer the blopljand being provided'with means to maintain saidsupport in .central psition'in i dilfereritx adjustments ofthe block.

` 3. Abx formingrblocl,comprisingcorner Y pieces having recessesinftheir "sides, and

Vdistance members extending betweenfadjaf cent corner pieces, said distancepieces com prising rods having theiroppositeends en-k ner pieces to space'tlie lattertliedesireddis.

.gaged insaid recesses and abutting'the cortances apart, and means for holding said f .rods and cornerpiecestogethen 1iaThe combination set forth in v'claim `3 i `whenein lsaid'flast. mentioned holding means comprises an extensible clamp secured'to diagonallyjlocated corner pieces. j Y

5. Abox forming block comprising corblock lwhere nuts`25 maybe* tightened up ner pieces, distance members extending between adjacent corner pieces and abuttingportions thereof to space the corner pieces the desired distances apart, said distance members being bodily detachable from said corner pieces, and a clamping device extending between diagonally located corner pieces, said clamping device comprising slidable plates having racks mounted thereon and a supporting member for the block having a pinion engaging said racks, to maintain said supporting member in central position with regard to the exis or the block.

6. The combination set forth in claim 3 together with filling members interposed between said corner pieces and detachably carried by said rods.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand this 10 day of Aug., 1922.

WILLIAM E. MIDDLETON. 

